26 lakh have been enrolled so far, says SAD

The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday said around 26 lakh people have taken membership of the party in the run-up to the organisational poll, which will commence with the election of district and state delegates from April 2 to 6.

The party had initiated the drive on January 20 after rejecting an Akal Takht panel constituted to launch a membership campaign for the SAD, which was to be followed by organisational poll.

The issue stocked a major row as the Takht committee, including rebel Akali leaders, has initiated a parallel enrolment campaign.

SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema also expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which the Waqf Bill being introduced in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre “without any discussion with the Muslim community”.

He said the Bill proposed increasing members of Waqf Boards in a bid to have more government say besides allowing appointment of non-Muslims as members.